108 



little understood, and a more extensive exploration of Arizona, 



Texas and New Mexico will doubtless reveal new or Mexican 



species within our borders, and perhaps change the status of some 



here recognized. 



My thanks are due to Dr. N. L. Britton for his help and 



many valuable suggestions, and also to Captain John Donnell 



Smith, Mr. Redfield, Dr. Sereno Watson and Prof. Macoun for 



their kindness in loaning their collections to me for examination. 



§ I. Pods constricted into separate semi-rhomboidal joints. 



f Pod not constricted above, deeply constricted below, long-stiped ; 

 leaflets broad. 

 * Panicle arising from the base of the plant. 



1. Meibomia nudiflora, (L.) 



Hedysarum nudifloriim, L. Spec. PI. 749 (1753). 

 Desnioditnn midiflorum, DC. Prodr. ii. 330 (1825). 

 Meibomia nudiflora, O. Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant, i. 197 (189 1). 

 Distr. — Ontario to Florida, west to Missouri and Louisiana. 



** Panicle arising from the summit of the plant, leaves crowded at its base. 



2. Meibomia grandiflora (Walter). 



Hedysartiin grandiflortun, Walter, FI. Car. 185 (1788). 

 Hedysarum glutinosum, Miihl. in Willd. Spec. iii. 1 198 (1803). 

 Hedysarum acuminatum, Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. ii. 72 (1803). 

 Desmodium acuminatum, DC. Prodr. ii. 329 (1825). 

 Desmodium grandiflorum, DC. Prodr. ii. 338 (1825). 

 Meibomia grandiflora, O. Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Plant, i. 196(1891). 

 Distr. — Ontario to Florida, west to Minnesota, Nebraska and 

 Texas. 



*** Panicle terminal, leaves scattered. 



3. Meibomia pauciflora, (Nutt.) 



Hedysarum pauciflorum, Nuttall, Gen. ii 109 (18 18). 

 Desmodium paucifloj'um, DC. Prodr. ii. 330 (1825). 

 Meibomia pauciflora, O. Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PI. i. 198 (1891). 

 Distr. — New York to Florida, west to Missouri and Louisiana. 



ff Pod slightly constricted above, much constricted below, joints rhomboidal 

 or semi-rhomboidal. 

 \ Trailing or reclining vines. 



* Leaflets orbicular or nearly so (except in M. lineata, var. polymorphd). 

 II Leaflets i' or less long, racemes simple, elongated, leafless. 



4. Meibomia lineata, (Michx.) 



Hedysarum lineatum, Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. ii. 72 (1803). 



